Bridgeport's Pleasure Beach Pier Wins Design Award

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – The restoration of the historic pier at Pleasure Beach was recognized by the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers as an outstanding achievement in civil engineering.

The historic pier at Pleasure Beach recently won an award for outstanding achievement in civil engineering.
Photo Credit: *File*

Robert Berczuk

07/26/2015 4:30 a.m.

Roberge Associates Coastal Engineers received the 2015 Award of Merit for structural design.

“I am so glad that we were finally able to give Pleasure Beach back to the kids and families of Bridgeport. They deserve it,” said Mayor Bill Finch in a press release. “It was a major undertaking, and the pier was one of the final steps in reclaiming the beautiful beaches.”

Roberge Associates Coastal Engineers led the engineering effort to bring the barrier island back to life by redesigning the pier and adding a water taxi launch, according to a press release.

The island was reopened to the public June 28, 2014, and more than 30,000 people have visited and enjoyed the sun, beaches and fishing.

One can get to Pleasure Beach – a 71-acre barrier island off the Long Island Sound owned by the city – via a free water taxi from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. New attractions at the barrier island this year include a historical walking tour and expanded concessions.

Pleasure Beach had been inaccessible for 20 years following a fire that destroyed the wooden bridge that connected the peninsula to Bridgeport’s East End.

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